Bustleton Library
Sunday, 10/5 | Closed |
Monday, 10/6 |
11:15 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. * |
Tuesday, 10/7 | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
Wednesday, 10/8 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Thursday, 10/9 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Friday, 10/10 |
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. * |
Saturday, 10/11 | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
- * Monday had hour changes – Due to staff shortage. Materials pick up services offered 11:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
- * Friday has hour changes – preparation for the Indigenous Peoples' Day
Sunday | Closed |
Monday | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
Tuesday | 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
Wednesday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Thursday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Saturday | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. |
Upcoming Closures
- Mon., Oct. 13 : Closed Indigenous Peoples' Day
- Tue., Nov. 11 : Closed Veterans Day
- Thu., Nov. 27 : Closed Thanksgiving Day
- Fri., Nov. 28 : Closed Thanksgiving Friday
Services
- Book Drop
- Browse Shelves
- Computer Use
- Materials / Holds Pick Up
- Printing Services
- Reference Services
- Wi-Fi
Facilities
- Baby changing station
- Bicycle rack
- Book drop box
- Computers for public use
- Electrical outlets available
- Handicapped accessible
- Meeting space (reservation required)
- Parking lot
- Photocopier (black/white)
- Printing (black/white)
- Public restrooms
- Scanner
- Street parking
- Water fountain
- Wireless internet access (wi/fi)
Upcoming Events
Family Storytime
Tue, October 14, 2025
11:00 A.M.
On Tuesdays at 11 AM, we will have a family storytime. Bring your babies, toddlers, and older siblings for stories, songs, and play!
Intermediate English Classes
Tue, October 14, 2025
3:45 P.M.
Bustleton Library will host two intermediate English Classes on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3:45 to 5:45. These classes are free. This program was made possible through support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Miriam Spector Endowment for…
Chair Yoga with Yoga4Philly
Wed, October 15, 2025
10:10 A.M.
Bustleton Library will be offering a Chair Yoga series on Wednesdays at 10:10. Chair Yoga will be presented by Yoga4Philly. No registration required. This program is sponsored by the Friends of Bustleton Library.
Hyperlocal Heritage Scrapbooking
Thu, October 16, 2025
10:10 A.M.
Drop in for an morning of fun, visual storytelling. Put your memories on the page with scissors, glue, photos, and imagery. Collage and scrapbook materials will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own photos, drawings or paper.
About
Located by George Washington High School, the Bustleton Branch serves the diverse neighborhoods of Bustleton and Somerton.
History
The community of Bustleton-Somerton, once full of thick woodlands, was a rich farming area for most of its history. According to one theory, Bustleton grew around Busselton Tavern, a local watering hole established before the Revolution. Verree Road takes its name from Verree's Mill, a tool factory on Pennypack Creek that once shipped hatchets and axes all over the East Coast.
The Bustleton library had its beginnings near the turn of the 20th century. In 1905, when horse-drawn wagons still plodded up Bustleton Pike, the Free Library placed a "traveling library" of 50 books in Tustin's Drug Store. Six years later, the library was moved from the drug store to St. Luke's Chapel, where it resided for the next 30 years. However, the space at St. Luke's was too small and was only open one day a week, so in 1941 citizens of Bustleton petitioned City Council for an official branch, which opened the following year in Union Hall at 9230 Bustleton Pike.
In 1960, in anticipation of the present building, the library was moved to rented quarters on the second floor of 9507 Bustleton Avenue. The quarters were larger and more pleasant, but there was still inadequate floor space.
Finally, on October 1, 1965, the current branch opened on land donated by the Philadelphia Board of Education. The one-story brick building was designed by Alexander Ewing and Associates, Architects and Engineers at a total cost of $337,300.
When you visit Bustleton Library, take a look at the carved wood mural, "Man's Learning Preserved." Created by James House, Jr., the mural depicts many signs and symbols used to record ideas from ancient times to the space age.